OT: Single Action Semiauto 45 ACP saves hikers

[nonpcnrarn]

A hiker in Denali National Park with a CCW shot a charging grizzly with 9 rounds from a .45 ACP pistol. He killed the bear saving himself and his girlfriend. This is from the Armed Citizen column in the August American Hunter. The original article is from the Daily News-Miner, Fairbanks, AK, 05/30/10. No mention was made of whether it was a 1911 type pistol or what ammo was used. But I doubt seriously that hollowpoints would have penetrated deep enough. Not my weapon of choice for charging grizzlies but it beat the heck out of playing dead. Bet he had to change his underwear, I know I would. A 1911 with an 8 round mag and one in the chamber adds up to 9 so it could have been a 1911. Thank goodness the NRA backed federal law allowing CCW holders to carry in national parks went into effect in Feb of that year, the hiker was not charged with carrying a firearm in a national park. Any thoughts, comments regarding what you would carry as a hiker in grizzly territory?

[jdpress]

Smith & Wesson Model S&W500 in .500 S&W Magnum with 4 inch barrel, 5 Rounds, Satin Stainless Steel - If I felt the probability was very high that I was going to be attacked, then I probably would carry the same handgun with an 8-3/8 inch barrel or a 6-1/2 inch barrel - Maybe even a Performance Center model with 10-1/2 inch barrel; but 80 ounces might be a little too much for concealed carry! - 370 Grain Bullet at ~1,700 FPS
OR Most Likely:

Freedom Arms Model 83, .500 Wyoming Express with 4-3/4 inch barrel - 5 Shots - 370 Grain Bullet at ~1,600 FPS

Bullet: Cast Performance Bullet Company - Wide Flat Nose Gas Check - 370 Grain

J.D. Press

[serialsolver]

What to use for self defense against a bear?

A Glock 17 in 9mm.

Instructions: Carry it in a freezer bag full of bacon grease. If a bear gets after you, rip open the bag and throw the bag with Glock in front of the bear. Maybe the bear will stop to lick the Glock clean giving you the chance to run away. ;D

Disclaimer:
No disrespect meant in my response. It is in no way a recommendation for the use of 9mm to repel bears. I just think that is very funny. I enjoy bear threads very much and have wanted to start a bear thread here just so I could post that commit. I just have not taken the time.

My preference actually leans toward something crew served.

[buck]

Sgt. York confirms 8 Germans = 1 grizzly

[bagdadjoe]

Glock anything in 9mm to keep a bear from killing you? It will work. Sight bear, draw weapon....shoot self. Bear is no longer a danger. Using it on the bear would only result in some hearing loss before the inevitable.

[robl]

Actually a G-17 with 124 FMJs was used on a sow brown bear circa 2002. The bear was dead right there. This was a widely reported story witnessed by multiple dozens along the banks of the crowded kenai river. Anchorage Daily news posted a few articles google it.
I know these "what is the best gun/ammo combo for grown bear" threads tend to go to emotions and or speculation about the ideal anti bear artillery & pages of what ifs and I had a friend who's cousin one time saw a bear, but...
Having actually lived, worked in played in AK, faced brown bears, and PO'd moose in the gun business and building holsters for a living, I am pretty familiar with what gets carried and used on bears and moose up there: 3-6 inch barreled .44 mags are still the most popular with the guides I know. Most of the locals carry various and sundry .44 & 357s both da and sa. A LOT of 1911s are carried. 10mm has a good following as well.
The Ruger Alaskan and chopped down Ruger SPB 454s & some 480s are used quite a bit.
FA's in 454 and S&W 500s are usually seen on vacationers up for a fishing or hunting or sight seeing trip.
I'm am sure there are other Alaskans that may have a differnt perspective, I won't argue, it's not worth it, but that is what my experience and records show.
I am so glad this guy was successful, I'm not surprised more often than not, bears die when folks shoot them:-)

[paul105]

Rob (or anyone that knows), did this end up being being ruled "self-defense". When it happened, there was some question if it was legit, or just some yahoo going off shift?

[schizuki]

Best caliber if you're walking in grizzly country with a friend is .22. If a grizzly attacks, shoot your friend in the knee.

Corollary: never hike with a friend who carries a .22.

[greygt]

Jul 22, 2010 5:05:00 GMT -5 jdpress said:

Smith & Wesson Model S&W500 in .500 S&W Magnum with 4 inch barrel, 5 Rounds, Satin Stainless Steel - If I felt the probability was very high that I was going to be attacked, then I probably would carry the same handgun with an 8-3/8 inch barrel or a 6-1/2 inch barrel - Maybe even a Performance Center model with 10-1/2 inch barrel; but 80 ounces might be a little too much for concealed carry! - 370 Grain Bullet at ~1,700 FPS
OR Most Likely:

Freedom Arms Model 83, .500 Wyoming Express with 4-3/4 inch barrel - 5 Shots - 370 Grain Bullet at ~1,600 FPS

Bullet: Cast Performance Bullet Company - Wide Flat Nose Gas Check - 370 Grain

J.D. Press

A 10 1/2" 500 Smith x frame?? Would you carry this only because your Barret is in the shop? ;D

[crazyhorse]

My Bobtail Dan Wesson 1911 10mm with some some 200 gr fmj loaded hot. Of course I would rather have my 500 Linebaugh or a heavy loaded 45 LC if I were shooting at a bear but the 10mm is small flat and easy to carry. It would work good on the two legged animals that I would more likely have a problem with.

[robl]

www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2010/05/grizzly-bear-shot-and-killed-hikers-denali-national-park-and-preserve5943?page=1

[eagle55]

I just returned to Haines AK last night after being gone for a couple weeks. A neighbor stopped by and said there are 2 brown bears in the neighborhood and have been getting into peoples stuff. All I have here is my Ruger Blackhawk 45LC loaded up with something called "Alaska Backpacker" 335 gr flat nose hard cast, supposedly loaded with H110. Haven't fired any yet so hope I don't have to test it on a brownie intent on getting inside. I am keeping it loaded right next to the door!

[boomer]

Seems in real life one would find out what, Carry enough Gun ! really means Before one experiances what its all about! You may not get a second chance? FWIW

[paul105]

Jul 24, 2010 15:52:34 GMT -5 robl said:

www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2010/05/grizzly-bear-shot-and-killed-hikers-denali-national-park-and-preserve5943?page=1

One of the comments following the above article:

" Submitted by dave (not verified) on July 7, 2010 - 8:20am.

Bears are scarce. Humans are not, to the point of converting the entire wild biomass of Earth into more humans. Bears are more precious and valuable than humans. Humans who think their lives are more precious than the last remaining grizzlies should stay home in bed. Why do you think human lives, given that there are billions and billions of us, are more valuable than that of grizzlies?
Your attitude is why our planet is in such peril: you probably think humans have the "right" to eat every wild tuna, carve every rhino horn, etc for our amusement. Please extinctify yourself and your family and make room for more wildness!"

[eagle55]

Jul 24, 2010 18:42:23 GMT -5 paul105 said:

Jul 24, 2010 15:52:34 GMT -5 robl said:

www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2010/05/grizzly-bear-shot-and-killed-hikers-denali-national-park-and-preserve5943?page=1

One of the comments following the above article:

" Submitted by dave (not verified) on July 7, 2010 - 8:20am.

Bears are scarce. Humans are not, to the point of converting the entire wild biomass of Earth into more humans. Bears are more precious and valuable than humans. Humans who think their lives are more precious than the last remaining grizzlies should stay home in bed. Why do you think human lives, given that there are billions and billions of us, are more valuable than that of grizzlies?
Your attitude is why our planet is in such peril: you probably think humans have the "right" to eat every wild tuna, carve every rhino horn, etc for our amusement. Please extinctify yourself and your family and make room for more wildness!"

To this dave, whoever he is, bears or humans are neither more or less important to each other or anything else. It comes down to the law of nature that there are prey and predator and has been that way for millions of years! Now me, I don't go out of my way to kill bears, I don't care for the meat and that is my choice, but I damn sure wont become food for one either without a fight that will involve firing anything I have at it. When a bear has dave down and his gnawing on his leg or dragging him away for a later meal will he still feel somehow less valuable?